Seeking Advice on Thunderbolt 1 to USB-C Adapter for MacBook Air 4,2 (2011)

[Heinzja]

I’m looking for some advice regarding an adapter for my MacBook Air 4,2 (2011). Specifically, I need a Thunderbolt 1 to USB-C adapter.

I could certainly search for options on Amazon, but I’ve found that seller descriptions can often be vague, and many products may not work as expected. This can lead to a frustrating cycle of complaints, returns, and reorders.

If anyone has experience with this type of adapter or knows of a reliable product that works well with my MacBook Air, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations. Your insights would be incredibly helpful and save me a lot of time and hassle.

Thank you in advance for your assistance!

 

[joevt]

What kind of USB-C device do you want to connect?

You need three things:

1. Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. This is the only such adapter that I know of that works in both directions. That means it allows a Thunderbolt 3 Mac to use a Thunderbolt 1/2 device and it allows a Thunderbolt 1/2 Mac to use a Thunderbolt 3 device.
   https://www.apple.com/ca/shop/product/MYH93AM/A/thunderbolt-3-usb-c-to-thunderbolt-2-adapter
2. A Thunderbolt 1 or Thunderbolt 2 cable (they are the same thing); not a Mini DisplayPort cable.
3. A powered Thunderbolt 3 dock or device or display with two Thunderbolt 3 ports. One port connects to your Mac using the Thunderbolt adapter and Thunderbolt cable. The other port can be used to connect more Thunderbolt devices, or a USB-C hub/dock/display/device or a DisplayPort display (with USB-C to DisplayPort adapter or cable), or a HDMI display (with a USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable). I think the MacBook Air 2011 only supports one display from Thunderbolt?
   Avoid Thunderbolt 4/5 devices. https://www.caldigit.com/does-the-e...-thunderbolt-1-or-thunderbolt-2-mac-computer/

 

[Heinzja]

Thank you for our reply...
I got a new C USB Hub with everything on it... (C USB3 RJ45 etc) -very nice small and metal, compatible with newer MacBooks .... I wouldn’t mind if some ports will not work, but would be nice not to loose one of the existing USB2 Ports when connecting something else...

 

[joevt]

If you get a Thunderbolt 3 dock to make that USB-C dock work then it would probably make the USB-C dock redundant.

If the USB-C dock is self powered, then you could connect it to a USB 2.0 port of the MacBook Air using a USB-C to USB-A cable or adapter. That would limit communication to half-duplex 480 Mb/s instead of full-duplex 1 Gb/s (Gigabit Ethernet) or 10 Gb/s (Thunderbolt or USB 3.1 gen 2) and you can't do normal video using USB 2.0.

A USB device cannot be connected directly to the Apple Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter because the adapter only understands Thunderbolt. It's the Thunderbolt dock/device/display that will provide USB support.

 

[Heinzja]

Thank you very much for your kind help... I will go for plan B and get a USB-A to USB-c Adapter ... Thunderbolt Hubs are expensive and maybe in the future a possibility... USB2 is fine and a free extra port doesn’t do any harm...
Thanks again!

 

[joevt]

Let us know what adapter you choose and how it works. Also, let us know which USB-C Hub you are using with the USB-A to USB-C adapter. Does the USB-C Hub have a captive USB-C cable or can it be disconnected?

USB-A (male) to USB-C (female) adapters are against the USB-IF specification but do work. You might need to switch the USB-C cable upside down if it doesn't work the first time.

 

[Heinzja]

Certainly, I will report my results here, but I am more confused now than before. First, the USB-A to C adapter can cost anywhere from £10 to £5 for 6 adapter. I also found a USB-C hub similar to mine for £9, which includes the USB-A adapter.

USB 2.0 ports are limited to 500mA (2.5W) Output, while USB 3.0/3.1 ports can provide up to 900mA (4.5W). How can all of this work? USB-C can deliver up to 65W, which makes more sense.

My USB 2.0 socket in the MacBook Air can only “feed” the hub, and nothing will come out of the USB ports, not to mention the USB-C.

I have to think about what to do. It doesn’t look as good as I had hoped....

 

[joevt]

Certainly, I will report my results here, but I am more confused now than before. First, the USB-A to C adapter can cost anywhere from £10 to £5 for 6 adapter.

They are not expensive. You are wondering why one is £10 and another is < £1 pounds? I don't know. You did not post a link. You need one that supports USB 2.0 speed. Maybe more expensive ones also support USB 3.x speed?

I also found a USB-C hub similar to mine for £9, which includes the USB-A adapter.

That probably would be more convenient for those with USB-A ports.

USB 2.0 ports are limited to 500mA (2.5W) Output, while USB 3.0/3.1 ports can provide up to 900mA (4.5W). How can all of this work? USB-C can deliver up to 65W, which makes more sense.

I did explain that this would probably only work if the USB-C hub was self powered (i.e. if it has an external power connection). You didn't post which USB-C hub you are trying to use.

My USB 2.0 socket in the MacBook Air can only “feed” the hub, and nothing will come out of the USB ports, not to mention the USB-C.

I'm not sure what "feed" means in this situation. Does the hub not appear in the USB tab of System Information.app? All the USB 2.0 functions should work if the USB-C hub is self powered.

 

[Heinzja]

To didn’t put links in my post because I thought that wasn’t permitted... here some pics which are self explanatory... my Hub is similar to the one in the pic (not powered with c-cable attached:

You can understand my confusion!?